By Ruth Longoria’ email=’Ruth.Longoria@mi-reporter.com
If your pooch is having a bad hair day or you’re having trouble deciding what to do with Fido while you’re at work or shopping in the Island’s new Town Center, have no fear — a new doggy daycare and grooming facility will soon be here.
The Bark Avenue Mercer Island — a daycare and grooming center for small dogs, up to 40 pounds — is planning to open for business this fall directly behind Finders in the Boyd Building at 7607 S.E. 27th St. Bark Avenue plans to move into a 750-square-feet space that will have rooms for grooming and play areas for socialization of the dogs. The city’s permitting process was completed last year for Boyd Building owner Ken Dayton. He plans to expand the building’s capability, add additional businesses and a storefront at the back. Daycare dogs will be taken on walks at area parks. Bark Avenue owner, Ian Bojarski, said he’s excited to offer Island dogs an alternative to off-Island grooming and care.
He aims to run a business that is clean, high-tech and above all, pleasant. “The main thing is it will be friendly,” Bojarski said. He likens taking a dog for grooming with taking a child to the dentist. “I’ve heard stories of where they manhandled the dogs, and this isn’t going to be like that,” Bojarski said. “We researched every grooming and daycare facility within 15 miles and found if the place is friendly and has low stress, the staff is happy and the dogs are happy. There are some places where the dogs look at you and it’s like they are saying, We’re getting groomed, we’re happy,’ as they wag their tails. That’s what this will be like.” Bojarski and his wife, Yukiko, decided to open their Island business about a year ago. They originally considered creating a pet-friendly cafe where young and old could gather with their pets. After talking with several residents and learning what is needed on the Island, they decided to go for a grooming and daycare facility.
“We still hope to be able to hire seniors and young people, though,” Bojarski said.
Ian and Yukiko Bojarski have lived on the Island for about 18 years, since shortly after they met as students at Bellevue Community College. They married in 1989.
Yukiko grew up in Nagoya, Japan, and moved here to study. Her father worked as an engineer and contractor for The Boeing Co. Ian grew up in Stamford, Conn., and moved to the Seattle area in the mid 1980s. He worked as an on-air radio personality for several years before taking a job as a vendor at Microsoft. He left Microsoft June 30, after eight years with the company, and plans to open Bark Avenue as soon as work on the building is complete.
As part of the remodeling, a sound proof wall will be added to the Bark Avenue space to keep the dogs from disturbing tenants and shoppers at neighboring businesses.
“We’re restricting this to dogs under 40 pounds, but even little dogs can be loud,” Bojarski said.
Cost for care is expected to be about $30 per day, which is competitive with Seattle daycares, such as Central Bark & Downtown Dog Lounge, Bojarski said. There will also be hourly rates, for those who just want to drop their dog off for a short time. At this point, there won’t be any overnight care. In addition to the owners, staff will include one or two groomers, a bather and a walker/wrangler. Bojarski hopes to add a receptionist and manager later as the business progresses.
Dayton is looking forward to having the Bojarskis and their business at his complex.
“I think having groomers on Mercer Island makes a lot of sense,” he said. “They seem like really nice people and I think this will be ideal for them.”
